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Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Posted: 3:50 p.m.The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPrinter-friendly versionA tractor-trailer loaded with scrap steel was struck by a Norfolk Southern coal train in Southwest Roanoke at 2:20 p.m.The truck, which was going to Virginia Scrap Iron, was trying to cross the tracks near the 2900 block of Roanoke Avenue. The trailer was hit by the train and dragged 200 to 300 feet, officials said.The driver, whose name has not been released, was not pinned inside the truck but firefighters had to stabilize him before they could remove him. He was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital where he was listed in stable condition, according to officials at the scene.Robin Chapman, spokesman for NS, said the 155-car coal train was traveling from Bluefield, W.Va., to Clover. The track speed at the site of the crash is 15 mph, he said. The truck was using a private crossing that has no electronic gate, he said.

Friday, March 25, 2005

Collision of train, truck injures man, stalls rail traffic

The tractor-trailer's driver needed help to get out of the cab, which had to be stabilized with wooden blocks first.By Lindsey Nair 981-3334The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPrinter-friendly versionA Norfolk Southern train struck a tractor-trailer in Southwest Roanoke Thursday afternoon, injuring the truck driver and interrupting rail traffic for several hours.The crash occurred about 2:20 p.m. behind Hanson Pipe and Products in the 2700 block of Roanoke Avenue Southwest."All we heard was a big crash and a boom and then we saw a big cloud of smoke," said William Morris, a Hanson employee.Roanoke Fire-EMS Capt. Willie Wines Jr. said the trucker was going to Virginia Scrap Iron with a load of scrap steel when the train struck his rig and pushed it 200 to 300 feet. The 155-car coal train hit the trailer portion of the tractor-trailer about halfway back.The truck driver was not pinned inside the cab, but firefighter/medics had to stabilize the tractor with cribbing, or wooden blocks, before going in to assist the man. Cribbing was used to ensure that the rig did not shift while rescuers were inside.Wines said the tractor came to rest in such a position that the driver would have had to jump a long way to the ground had he not been helped. He was reported to be in stable condition at the scene with some pain but no obvious sign of broken bones or life-threatening injury.Neither Roanoke Fire-EMS, Norfolk Southern nor Roanoke police released the name of the driver on Thursday. He was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but his condition was not available.Robin Chapman, a spokesman for NS, said the train was traveling from Bluefield, W.Va., to Clover. He said the railroad speed limit at the crash site is 15 mph and the crash occurred at a private crossing with no electronic gate.Fire-EMS officials said the tracks were closed in both directions until NS could clear the debris.No charges had been filed in connection with the incident on Thursday evening.Staff writer Lois Caliri contributed to this report.

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Truck did not slow at crossing, NS says

The engineer was ringing his bell and the "ditch lights" were flashing just before the crash, a railroad spokesman said.By Lindsey Nair 981-3334The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPrinter-friendly versionThe tractor-trailer struck by a coal train in Roanoke on Thursday did not slow down before rolling into the locomotive's path, Norfolk Southern officials said Friday.Robin Chapman, a spokesman for NS, said the train's conductor reported that the driver of the tractor-trailer drove straight across the tracks as the train approached about 2:20 p.m. The 155-car train struck the trailer portion of the tractor-trailer about halfway back and pushed it 200 to 300 feet.The truck driver still had not been identified by any agency Friday, so he could not be reached for comment. Roanoke police spokeswoman Aisha Johnson said their department turned over the investigation to NS because it occurred at a private crossing on NS property, and Chapman said the railroad typically does not release the names of people involved in such incidents.Roanoke Fire-EMS, which transported the man by ambulance to a local hospital, could not release the driver's name because of medical confidentiality laws. But Assistant Chief of Operations Ralph Tartaglia said Friday that the man's injuries did not appear life-threatening on Thursday.Chapman said the crossing where the wreck occurred is not on a public road, so it is not equipped with gates or lights, only a sign. In addition, a whistle ban exists in that area, making it unlawful for the engineer to blow the whistle in warning as he approaches the crossing.The speed limit on the tracks at the site is 15 mph, but Chapman said he did not know how fast the train was going.The engineer was ringing his bell, and the "ditch lights," two lights positioned low on the front of the locomotive, were flashing just before the crash, Chapman said.Fire-EMS officials have said the tractor-trailer driver was heading to a scrap yard owned by Virginia Scrap Iron & Metal Co. Mary Ward, president of the company, said their drivers usually pick up scrap material and drive it to the yard, but the driver of the tractor-trailer Thursday was from another company.She said she has not heard of any problems at that crossing from her drivers in the past.On Friday, Chapman said NS police had not placed any charges in connection with the crash.

The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPrinter-friendly versionA torch used for soldering pipes sparked a fire in the insulation of a house in the 700 block of Marshall Avenue Southwest on Saturday afternoon.Charles Washington, a contractor working on the house, said he was replacing the house's pipes that had burst during the winter when the torch he was using ignited the insulation. "I was trying to grab it [the insulation] to put it out but it [the fire] shot up ahead," he said.Firefighters received the call about 5:20 p.m. and were on the scene within a minute, said Capt. Todd Stone, acting battalion chief with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department."Fortunately the firehouse is less than a block away," he said, adding that the fire caused less than $1,000 in damage to the Old Southwest house."Older neighborhoods like this, the fire can get going quickly, you just never know. This one we caught quickly."Washington said he would resume work on the house next week, but without the torch.- David Harrison

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

I am currently compiling a list of every Firefighter who has ever worked for Roanoke Fire-EMS and Roanoke Fire Department. If you have a list or know of names please email Firefleitz@verizon.net. I would like to include data with the names such as; hire date, retirement date; living or deceased; company assignment(s); relatives in the department; and any other pertinent information. Eventually I would like to include every member. If your station has old records of individuals please let me know and I will come and check them out (no I will not be taking them out of the stations).

Sunday, March 20, 2005

Roanoke St. Patrick's Day Parade. Roanoke Fire-EMS Colorguard (left to right) FF Tom Gherman, FF John Burrows, Lt. Rhett Fleitz, Lt. Noel Gardner. Behind the Colorguard is Capt. Teddy Adkins, 1st Lt. R.T. Flora, FF Steven East, FF Scott Bradford, Capt. Mark Kesterson, Capt. Marvin Huddleston, Lt. Tom Mougin, FF Josh Pruitt, FF Jerry Franks, FF Todd Harris, Lt. Barry Ferguson. Behind the Firefighters was Ladder 2 followed by most of the members of Station #2 A-Shift and Asst. Chief Ralph Tartaglia. The brothers/sisters at #2 A were accompanied by their dalmations and with other dalmations from the Dalmation Rescue. All in all it was a good turnout and we recieved ovations throughout the parade route.

Thank you to all the Firefighters who came out to support your Fire department and Local at the 2005 Roanoke St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Colorguard, Firefighters who marched, Ladder 2, and the Firefighters with the dalmations really showed the pride of the Roanoke Firefighters.

Friday, March 18, 2005

Grants provide funding for vehicles, training courses and medical and communications equipment.By Hattie Brown 981-3349The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPrinter-friendly versionNearly $353,000 in grants has been awarded to several nonprofit emergency medical services agencies and organizations in the New River and Roanoke valleys.The Virginia Department of Health awarded more than $3.3 million in matching Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grants statewide, according to a news release. The grants went into effect Jan. 1.The grants, which are awarded twice a year, provide fundingfor communications equipment, EMS vehicles, medical equipment and training courses. They are paid for through Four-for-Life funds, money collected annually through motor vehicle registration fees.Agencies and organizations that receive the grants have up to a year to buy the approved items and submit receipts for reimbursement, said Ruth Robertson, spokeswoman for the state health department's EMS office.Roanoke EMS Inc. received $32,297 for a four-wheel-drive ambulance, which will be helpful during bad weather, Deputy Chief David Hoback said. An additional $2,250 will pay for a large stretcher to handle patients of up to 900 pounds. EMS workers have been called to take care of an increasing number of patients who are 700 pounds or heavier, Hoback said.With a $9,000 grant, the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department will start a pilot program to better assist patients with chest pains, Hoback said. The program is also being supported by Lewis-Gale Medical Center and Carilion Health System.The department has bought defibrillators that show 12 views of the heart, instead of the three they can see with equipment being used now. Having this type of technology could potentially help rescue workers identify patients' problems before they arrive at the hospital, speeding up the treatment process, Hoback said.Franklin County's fire departments and rescue squads needed new communication equipment to replace equipment from the 1970s, said Chris Slemp, the county's director of public safety. They received $78,524 for portable radios and new radio systems in vehicles. The radios will allow the county to better communicate with other localities, Slemp said."We couldn't do some of the projects without the grants," he said.

No people or pets were injured in Tuesday's fire, in the Crystal Spring area of South Roanoke.By Lindsey Nair 981-3334The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPrinter friendly versionAn overheated electrical system caused the fire at a South Roanoke condominium building on Tuesday, and damage is expected to top a half-million dollars, officials said Wednesday.Roanoke Fire Marshal Marlan Morris said the two-alarm fire at Olde Georgetown of Crystal Spring condominiums at South Jefferson and 23rd streets originated in the space between the attic floor and the third-floor ceiling. Personal items stored in the attic added to the fuel load, he said.Fire investigators maynever know with certainty what caused the fire, which injured no people or pets. But all other possibilities were ruled out, leaving faulty wiring as the only logical explanation, Morris said.Firefighters responded to the blaze about 5:20 p.m. to find flames and heavy, black smoke churning into the sky. The fire was under control within about 40 minutes.Three of the six condos sustained heavy heat, smoke and water damage; the other three were "relatively unscathed" except for smoke damage to contents, Morris said. Items stored in the attic were either lost or significantly damaged.American Red Cross spokeswoman Amy Whittaker said members of a disaster relief team assessed the damage Wednesday and were not sure exactly how many people were displaced, but they estimated seven to 10.The Red Cross has offered assistance to the victims, but the one person who accepted a hotel room for Tuesday night never checked in, she said.Condo owner Carole Lougheed, whose 89-year-old mother, Winnifred Dunn, lives in her condo, said residents could not get in to take stock of the damage Wednesday."I'm not looking forward to going in when we can go in," she said. "I don't think it is going to be a pretty sight. We have all our treasures in there."Still, Lougheed said it was a blessing that no one was injured. She also said her mother, who was recovering from surgery at the time of the fire, took the news well.Roanoke Fire-EMS Deputy Chief of Operations Ralph Tartaglia said Wednesday that his men "took a beating" making sure the building did not burn to the ground. Roanoke Fire-EMS Station No. 8 is just blocks away, so the first crews arrived quickly."The firemen were right on top of it," Lougheed said. "I'm glad we have such a wonderful fire service."Morris said electrical wiring flaws can occur in any building. The wiring in the 18-year-old condo building was fairly young, but flaws in materials or rodents chewing on wiring can cause problems. Smoky smells and flickering or dimming lights are signs of a possible wiring problem.

South Roanoke blaze displaces at least seven.By Hattie Brown 981-3349The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPhoto gallery: See photos from the rescueAudio: Hear an interview with Fire Chief GrigsbySeveral South Roanoke condominiums were heavily damaged by fire Tuesday evening.About one-third of the roof of a condominium building that is part of the Olde Georgetown of Crystal Spring complex caved in during the fire. The building, at the corner of 23rd and Jefferson streets, did not sustain a huge amount of structural damage but was heavily damaged by water, Roanoke Fire-EMS Chief Jim Grigsby said.No one was injured, Grigsby said.The two-alarm fire appeared to have started on the third floor, but a fire marshal had not had a chance as of Tuesday night to make a final determination, Grigsby said. The amount of damage was also not available Tuesday night.The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department received the fire call at 5:17 p.m., Grigsby said. Firefighters arrived to find heavy flames and smoke coming from the roof of the three-story building. The fire was under control by 6:02 p.m."I'm very surprised the building is standing," Grigsby said.Grigsby said he did not know how many people were in the building at the time of the fire.Because the building has plywood in the roof, firefighters had to wait several minutes before putting water on the building, Grigsby said. Firefighters feared that if they used water on the building too soon, it would worsen the fire and push it back into the building, Grigsby said.The smoke could be seen for miles. Onlookers, many carrying cameras, gathered at the intersection while firefighters battled the blaze. Many said they were neighbors or had just happened to be walking through the neighborhood at the time of the fire.The Red Cross was called to the scene, but only one of seven residents requested a place to stay, said Red Cross spokeswoman Amy Whittaker. Arrangements were made for the resident to stay in a hotel.A Red Cross team will assess the damage today to determine residents' needs, Whittaker said.Carole Lougheed's 89-year-old mother lives in a condominium Lougheed owns in the building. Loughheed said the building has six units. Her mother, Winnifred Dunn, had recently been released from the hospital and was staying at Lougheed's house at the time of the fire.Georgia Mayo, who lived on the second floor of the burned building, said she had been home about five minutes when she heard someone pounding on her door. A police officer told her to get out of the building because the attic, a storage space for several of the residents, was on fire, Mayo said. She ran out barefoot, but was able to borrow a pair of blue fuzzy slippers from someone.Mayo, an eighth-grade teacher at Lucy Addison Middle School, said several elderly people live in the complex, including at least one person who is wheelchair-bound. Mayo will stay at her mother's house in Salem for now.

These are the news releases from Roanoke Fire-EMS:

Roanoke Fire-EMS Responds to Jefferson Street FireFire-EMSCity of RoanokeMarch 16, 2005Roanoke, VA – The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to an alarm for a structure fire on March 15, 2005 at 2229 Jefferson Street. The call was received through the 9-1-1 Center at approximately 5:19 p.m., and was quickly under control. The response of five engines, two ladder trucks, three medic units, one EMS Captain, three Battalion Chiefs, four Officers, and the Investigation Unit were involved in the second alarm fire. Upon arrival, Roanoke Fire-EMS personnel found the three-story, six-unit complex with smoke and flames showing from the roof of the structure. Four people were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape unharmed. There were no injuries to citizens or department personnel. The cause of the fire and estimated property loss are currently being evaluated. More information will be released as it becomes available.

News ReleaseUpdate to Jefferson Street FireFire-EMSCity of RoanokeMarch 16, 2005Roanoke, VA – The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to an alarm for a structure fire on March 15, 2005 at 2229 Jefferson Street. The cause of this fire has been determined to be accidental in nature, due to an overheated electrical system. The estimated property loss has been determined to be in excess of $500,000.

An apartment building in South Roanoke caught fire late this afternoon.The fire is blazing through the building at 23rd and Jefferson. Officials have evacuated the building and have several units on scene. The fire has gone to a second alarm. One of our reporters says it appears at this point as if no one was hurt and that everyone got out safely.

News-7 has crews on the scene and we'll bring you more as soon as we can.

Additional info:

Alarm went out at 1715 hours.Second alarm toned out at 1724 hours.Fire under control at 1803 hours.

Updated: 6:05 p.m. Fire crews battle blaze at Old Georgetown of Crystal Spring at 23rd and Jefferson streets.The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyRoanoke fire crews are battling a blaze at the Old Georgetown of Crystal Spring condos at 23rd Street and Jefferson Street, in South Roanoke. Flames and heavy smoke are still showing from the roof of the multi-story brick building, where fire broke out shortly after 5 p.m. (Audio: Hear an interview with Fire Chief Grigsby)The building has been evacuated, authorities said, and David Pope, Roanoke fire/EMS lieutenant, said there are no injuries as far as he knows.Streets have been blocked off for several blocks around the fire.

I have several historical photographs. However I do not know all of the copyright information on these photos. First of all if I post a photo and it is copyrighted then please let me know and I will take the necessary steps to make sure I am in compliance. I have found that Virginia Tech has several photos on record at:

Tuesday, March 15, 2005No one injured in fire at S.E. Roanoke homeThe Roanoke Times e-mail this storyThree people were displaced after a fire started in a Southeast Roanoke home.The Roanoke Fire-EMS Department responded to a fire in the 1600 block of Seventh Street Southeast at 10:09 p.m., Battalion Chief J.W. Beckner said. Flames were coming from the roof when firefighters arrived. Resident George Adams, 50, said that he and his ex-wife Diane Adams, 49, were getting ready for bed at the time of the fire. Dewayne Adams, 19, came home and noticed flames in the attic.At least one cat was also in the home at the time of the fire, Beckner said.The fire was contained to the attic, which sustained smoke and water damage, Beckner said. The first and second floors of the home are likely damaged by water as well, he said.No one was injured, Beckner said. A damage estimate was not yet available.-Hattie Brown

Monday, March 14, 2005Roanoke couple hurt in house fireThe Roanoke Times e-mail this storyA Northwest Roanoke couple were injured when the bathroom of their two-story home caught fire Sunday morning.Roanoke and Roanoke County Fire and EMS departments responded to a call that smoke and fire were coming from the home in the 1100 block of Summit Lane about 3 a.m., said Jennifer Faulkner, the Roanoke Fire and EMS public information officer. A man and a woman who own the home, whom Faulkner did not identify, were able to get out of the home before fire and rescue personnel arrived on the scene. The couple were taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and treated for lacerations and burns, Faulkner said.Their conditions were not available Sunday afternoon, but Faulkner said their injuries were not serious.The fire started in a first-floor bathroom and damaged part of the second floor. The damage was estimated to cost $50,000.Faulkner said the fire is being investigated as an accident.-Jay Conley

Sunday, March 13, 2005Woman shot, killed in Roanoke; police rule her death a homicideA man was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, a police spokeswoman said.By David Harrison 981-3340The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyPolice found a woman shot to death and a man injured with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a Southeast Roanoke home Saturday night, spokeswoman Aisha Johnson said.Police have ruled the woman's death a homicide, Johnson said. Emergency workers first got the call at 7:21 p.m. and took the man to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in an unknown condition, said Johnson. Police did not release any names Saturday night because the next-of-kin had not been notified yet.Johnson said she did not know if the two people knew each other or if they lived in the house on the 1500 block of Kirk Avenue Southeast. Neighbors said they did not know the house's occupants but that they did not cause any trouble."I've never seen much commotion up there," said Bobby Underwood, who has lived across the street for 20 years. He said "a couple young guys" moved into the house - a two-story white structure on the top of a hill - about six or seven months ago.Shortly after police arrived, they escorted a visibly upset woman from the house. She talked to police for a few minutes before getting into an unmarked car with a police official and driving away. Johnson said she did not know whether anyone else was in the house at the time of the shootings."That's Southeast," said Underwood, as he watched the scene from his front porch. "But things ain't all that bad around here. People put Southeast down but it ain't a bad place to live."

Sunday, March 13, 2005Man with gunshot wounds found on fire outside cemeteryPolice say the man was transferred to the burn unit at the University of Virginia Medical Center.By David Harrison 981-3340The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyA man was found with gunshot wounds and on fire Saturday evening outside the Fairview Cemetery in Northwest Roanoke, police spokeswoman Aisha Johnson said. Police said passersby helped rescue the man.The man, who remained unidentified Saturday night, was transported to the burn unit at the University of Virginia Medical Center, she said, adding that she did not know his condition. It was unclear whether his wounds were self-inflicted, Johnson said. She also said she didn't know whether a weapon was found nearby.Robert Thomas said he and his wife, Katie, were driving down Salem Turnpike when they noticed smoke and sparks coming from a bush near the cemetery gates."It was probably just the cedars melting," Katie Thomas said.They pulled over and Katie called 911 while Robert grabbed a blanket the couple kept in the car for their dog and ran to pat the burning man down."This shirt would have been the first thing off if I didn't have the blanket," Robert Thomas said, fingering his flannel shirt."I had to pull his jacket off of him because his jacket [was] still on fire," he said. "Moaning and groaning was all he was doing."He said the man looked "not too good" and had burns around his face, arms and chest. "I'd say he's probably my age, somewhere between 40 and 50 probably."Charles Chestnut, who was walking down Salem Turnpike shortly after the Thomases got there, said the man was moving when rescuers put him on a stretchers."He was gargling," said Chestnut, of Southwest Roanoke, who was on his way to the bus stop after leaving his grandson's first birthday party. "They say burning is one of the worst pains you can go through."A police officer gave Chestnut a ride home.Police received the call at 7:51 p.m. Johnson said. About 45 minutes later, the Thomases' red pickup truck was parked in front of the cemetery with their dog still inside. Their blanket as well as the man's clothes were lying near the gates behind yellow police tape."It's very rattling," said Robert Thomas. "You don't want to see anything like that."

Friday, March 11, 2005

Fire ChiefDeputy ChiefAssistant ChiefBattalion Chief -Roanoke City has 2 battalions, north and south, and 3 shifts A,B,CCaptains - ride the seat of the Engines*1st Lieutenants - Ride the seat of the Ladder trucksLieutenants - Drive the apparatus (Engines and Ladders)Firefighers - all firefighters are also EMT's, Cardiac Tech's, or Paramedics

* A captain rides the seat of Ladder 1, and 1st Lt.'s ride the seat of Engine 10.

These are the Unit Assignments:

Battalion Chief 1 is stationed at station 1Battalion Chief 2 is stationed at station 2

Ladder 1 - has 2 drivers because it is a tiller truckCaptainLt.Lt.FF/EMTFF/EMT

Engine 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,13,14CaptainLt.FF/EMTFF/EMT

Engine 101st Lt.Lt.FF/EMTFF/EMT

Ladder 2,7,131st Lt.Lt.FF/EMTFF/EMT

Medic 2,3,4,6,9,10FF/PMFF/PM

ARFF - located at Roanoke Regional Airport and housed in Station 10Battalion Chief over ARFFAR-3CaptainLt.

AR-3Lt.

County Station 7 (Clearbrook) is a joined station between the City and the County and houses a paid engine and paid medic truck.

County Wagon 7Captain (County)Lt. (City)FF (City)FF (County)

County Medic 71FF/PM (County)FF/PM (County)

RS-1 is a Captain in charge of EMS and is stationed at station 1. There is 1 per shift.

Accident at work leaves Roanoker with severe burnsBy Lindsey Nair 981-3334The Roanoke Times e-mail this storyA chemical accident at a Roanoke distributing company early Thursday has left a man in critical condition at the University of Virginia Medical Center.Greg Staley, 27, of Roanoke suffered burns over 50 percent of his body when the chemicals he was mixing to form a de-icer for airplanes came into contact with his arms, shoulders, legs and back, said his father, Mike Staley.The incident happened about 5:45 a.m. Thursday at Chemical & Solvents Inc., or Chemsolv, at 1140 Industry Ave. S.E, said Roanoke Fire-EMS spokeswoman Jennifer Faulkner.Staley was taken by ambulance to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, then airlifted later Thursday morning to Charlottesville, his family said. No one else was injured in the accident.Mike Staley said he was upset by news that his son had to wait for some time after medics arrived at the scene before they would put him in an ambulance and transport him to the hospital. Staley believed medics did not want to soil their ambulance with the chemicals."A person's life is much more important than a doggone ambulance," Mike Staley said.Roanoke Fire-EMS Division Chief David Hoback said the medics' first contact with Greg Staley was at 5:55 a.m. and the ambulance transported him to the hospital at 6:16 a.m.Hoback said chemical burns are different from any other injury, and handling the scene of a chemical spill is complicated. Even if a patient tells them which chemical was involved, he said, their protocol requires them to obtain Material Safety Data Sheets from the company because different chemicals require different responses.Once they get the information, firefighters and medics look up the chemical to determine whether anyone else is at risk and what type of decontamination must take place. Staley had rinsed off, but some chemicals require a shower of 20 minutes or more, Hoback said.He said the delay Thursday was to avoid endangering medics or transporting a chemical to an emergency room and endangering other patients."I certainly don't want any of our citizens to think that we would put a material or a piece of equipment in front of the health of our citizens," said Roanoke Fire-EMS Chief Jim Grigsby.Fire department officials have not released information on the type of chemical involved in the accident.Jamie Austin, vice president and general manager at Chemsolv, said the company has been a member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors and has had a successful safety record for more than 20 years."We always want to put our employees out in the field ... with all the information and all the training that is required and necessary," he said.Austin said Staley went through full pre-employment training and is a good employee with the company."We're concerned and our prayers go out to the employee and his family," he said.The company is investigating the matter to determine what caused the accident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor will also investigate the case, said OSHA spokesman Lee Willis.Willis said the investigation will take up to six months. A search of OSHA databases revealed no prior investigations at Chemsolv between 1972 and the present. Chemsolv has operated since 1979.

This is a web log for the Firefighters of Roanoke City and other interested persons. I would like to keep this site very professional and true to the Firefighters of Roanoke. I hope to inform visitors of what us Firefighters are all about and have been about since the beginning of the Roanoke Fire Department. Please feel free to post comments or email me directly with questions. I will try to be precise in the facts and true to the traditions upheld by our department and its members. I would also like to say that this is unofficial of the actual Roanoke Fire-EMS Department, the IAFF, and Roanoke Firefighters Association #1132.

About the Author

Rhett Fleitz is a Lieutenant with the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department in the City of Roanoke, Virginia. He is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Roanoke Fire Fighters Association IAFF Local #1132. Rhett is currently continuing historical research and data collection after the Late Captain Wiseman. In 2006, he completed his first book, "Firefighting in Roanoke", a pictorial look at the history of the Fire Service in the City of Roanoke.

"Firefighting in Roanoke" is available online or you can purchase it in Roanoke at The Roanoke Antique Mall, The Transportation Museum, or the Williamson Road Pharmacy.

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The views posted on this web log are of the site administrator and visitors and do not portray the views of the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department or that of the IAFF or RFFA #1132.If you have an issue with something posted on the site, please contact me immediately. If indeed you do not like what you read, please hit the X in the top right hand corner of your browserand the site will be removed from your view. It is my choice to post what I post and say what I say, it is your choice to read it or not.

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